Mom Protects Home with Gun Twice in Four Months

It is very likely every mother's worst nightmare. To wake up in the middle of the night, having heard a noise just outside the safety of the walls of your home and knowing that you are likely all of the protection you and your children have. A call to the police may work, but how long might it take for them to respond? Five minutes, ten? Even less may be just too long.

That is the nightmare that Toledo, Ohio mom, Betty Collins has had to live through not once… but twice in the last four months.

Four months ago it was a home invader who met Ms. Collins as he tried to kick in the front door of her home. At about five in the morning, 31-year old Kyle Caldwell began kicking at the front door of Ms. Collins home in an attempt to break in. Betty, who was already awake and wary thanks to a call from her boyfriend about a suspicious man down the block, was waiting with her .357 Magnum at the ready. After a few unsuccessful kicks, Betty yelled for the attacker to leave because she had a gun and it was loaded. He didn’t heed her advice. Finally, Ms. Collins opened the door herself and the intruder found himself inches from the barrel of the loaded .357.

Once he realized the danger he was in, the man did exactly as ordered. He laid down on his face and waited for police to arrive.

Just four short months later, at around 1am on Sunday morning, Ms. Collins was pushed into protecting her home again. She awoke to hear chains rattling on her front porch and knew that there was likely an uninvited guest just outside her door. She opened the front door and confronted 21-year old Thomas Lee Johnson trying to steal one of her family’s bicycles which were chained up on the porch. She told him to stop and to leave, but he continued trying to get the chain off the bike. At that point she retrieved her gun and commanded the young man to lay down on the ground.

Once the young man realized the seriousness of her command, he did what he was told. Police arrested him shortly after, and he will be brought up on misdemeanor charges.

Would either criminal have obeyed Ms. Collins had she not had a firearm at the ready? It’s doubtful. Neither obeyed until they realized that she was deadly serious about the gun she held in her hands. It was when Ms. Collins convinced them that she was prepared to use her .357 that they began to take her seriously. If not for her gun, things may have ended very differently for Betty Collins and her family.

The argument so often used by the liberal anti-gun lobby can so easily be refuted anecdotally, it baffles me that they continue to say the gun owning citizen stopping crime is a “fallacy.” The truth is that the police are not in the business of crime prevention, they are in the business of justice. They catch criminals or people who have already committed criminal acts. That’s no slight on our law enforcement; it’s the simple nature of living in a free society. The only way to prevent crime is for law abiding citizens to step in and stop them before they happen.

A round of applause for Ms. Betty Collins and her willingness to stand in harm’s way to protect her family. We need more Betty Collins’ in this world – if we had them, it would be a much safer place.

Another case of a citizen protecting themselves from the criminal element...with a gun. Wow...it never happens does it? What was that Biden? What did you say Pelosi? What ....I can't hear you ObaMao! It's hard to tell the difference between street criminals and those in Congress & the White House....wait...they are one and the same!

Enrique4

If this woman had followed Biden's advise she would have shot both of them through the front door.

Marymm

LOL.....good Biden remark. Love this article.....hurrah for Ms. Collins. Perhaps she should move from the area if it is a high crime. This is the reason I carry....a lot of evil people on the earth.

Mike_Travis

I do agree with you on this one seeymour.

Mike_Travis

And she would be in jail too. No, she was right in not shooting though she should not have opened the door. That is a serious mistake.

darylj46

Hurrah for this mom and an awesome greeting from her to the criminals. Amazing of the thought of an explosion coming at you can change your mind if your a criminal. Luckily she didn't have to discharge.

Whitaker Chambers

What will the atheistic communist Bob, a paid Obama blogger, have to say about this?

cris

He will of course be cowardly silent

seeymour kleerly

No Democrat opposes guns for home protection. You've been tricked!

DOUGLAS GILLARD

You have not been paying attention to what many democrats have said over the years if you think that.

seeymour kleerly

Name one!

DOUGLAS GILLARD

DIANE FEINSTEIN is one. Check her statement on YOUTUBE when she said "That if I had the votes, I would take everyone's guns" or something to that effect. You can hear her for yourself.

seeymour kleerly

Sorry. That's one vote (maybe). That's 534 -1. Sleep tight!

disqus_fOg1HwPPDS

Shoving ObamaCare upon us despite an overwhelming majority opposed to it!

Mike_Travis

Very true!

Mike_Travis

No seeless, they have intentionally LIED to us.

disqus_fOg1HwPPDS

Sounds like you must get your "news" (dba gov propoganda) from mainstream media sources. For your family's sake do the small amount of work necessary to seek out the truth in all avenues. Break yourself free from the lies! It's the lies and believing in them which keep us from being free.

seeymour kleerly

Please show me where Democrats vote to ban guns for homes and Ill be happy to stop thinking that you guy's are quite paranoid.

disqus_fOg1HwPPDS

Just look at the dwindling gun rights we in CA have left, all because the Dems are in command.

seeymour kellely

So banning machine guns that are designed only to kill dozens of people ( or tin cans) has upset your lifestyle? Protection of one's home is a CONSTITUTIONALright and a moral one as well!

americanvoter

from one woman to another, the only thing Ms. Collins did wrong (thank God it didn't matter in this case) was to hold the gun out from her body. She needs to watch the video of Bob Pierce's "THE HANDGUN MISTAKES THAT CAN GET YOU KILLED'.

It shows you have MUCH more control holding the elbows close to your body to prevent it being taken away from you;\
GREAT JOB, BETTY!!

a_goodtarheel1

Good for you girlfriend! Stand your ground!

DefendConstitution

The ones pushing for gun control don't really care about guns. Their goal is control of every citizen.

Mike_Travis

Bingo! It is all about control. Just ask Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, and mooslimes in general. 200 million murdered, unarmed civilians can't be wrong!

SGM Bob

Bravo, Betty Collins! We need more American women like you.

junkmailbin

the right to choose is what calibre and type of gun

Enrique4

Love this. I can now be pro-choice!

USMC 64-68

Truth means nothing to the anti-gun cabal. They have an agenda. That agenda is aimed at subverting the Constitution and our individual rights.

Often the argument is advanced that the anti-gun agenda is promoted by "well-meaning" people. That might be true of some uniformed useful idiots, but it is certainly not true of those in leadership positions (whether in politics or private organizations). They know the truth, but work to subvert it. They serve the agenda of the progressive democrats and that's a marxist agenda.

Mike_Travis

Well said Marine!

disqus_fOg1HwPPDS

Yes, however it goes much, much higher up than that! These so called "progressive demo(n)crats" are merely idiots which have sold their souls to deep pocketed America-destroyers which are part of a much larger grouping of satanic entities -- Bilderbergers, globalists, illuminati, NWO.

SGM Bob

Looking into the business end of a gun often changes the perspective of the situation considerably. And that's an understatement.

Troubleshooter

I like a heavy calibre revolver, preferably a S&W .44 mag, or a Colt .45 mag. I had a guy tell me that when he looked at the ends of the hollow points in the magazine of my revolver, he could smell gunpowder and taste blood. It causes instantaneous Behavior Modification and Attitude Adjustment. Show them what you have for them, and then if they persist, give them all they can hold.

Lazy J

125 grain jacketed hollow point at 1135 ft per second. .357 magnum. It isn't too hard for the lady to control and has approximately the same stopping power as a .45 ACP. I agree with her choice of protection. That's what I purchased for my wife and she is deadly with it.

Troubleshooter

Yeah, the .357 is a nice frame and a nice lady's weapon. Another that is sorely under-rated is the Colt. .38 Chief. It's lightweight and compact, and easily concealable in a small handbag or jacket pocket. I also am in love with the Beretta .380 Auto, loaded with steel-jacketed hollow points. Good for the Ladies. I even recommend the .357 Mag S&W Double Barrelled Derringer. Nasty little Hand cannon, with Pearl or Turquoise handles. You can see the end of the round in the barrell when it's loaded.

disqus_fOg1HwPPDS

Your wife is a lucky woman to be married to a knowledgable and active shooter! A good, modern self-defense load from a 357 such as that 125 gr jhp in fact has way better stopping power than the traditional slow cannonball 230 gr 45 ACP any day of the week! 357 mag makes for a versatile and forgiving revolver, able to be loaded from low power target work all the way up to the true magnum self-defense loads. 44 mag, btw in reponse to the other poster, is of course an extremely effective stopper however don't miss with that 1st shot, follow ups take extra time and the exceptionally high blast noise will draw unwanted attention from nearby gangbangers in a shtf scenario. Quiet is safer, imho, 'cause we won't know friend from foe once things go south and chaos rules.

Lazy J

I carried a .357 S&W w/ 5.5" BBl when bear hunting in Alaska. If your 30-06 is not available, the .357 will keep you from being mauled. All my compadres at Ft. Greeley carried sidearms when in the field. That's not one of those pansy posts which prevent a soldier from self-preservation.

Nikita63

We need our guns to protect ourselves from the damned liberals who keep trying to sell, out the country to the United Nations, deny our National sovereignty and destroy our constitution, That having them and knowing how to use them ALSO protects us from OTHER criminals, is an added BONUS! Washington can try but, they will NEVER succeed in taking firearms from the people of THIS country. We simply will not allow it as it is our RIGHT thanks to the eternal WISDOM of our founding Fathers who foresaw government's power grabbing oppression and anti-constitutionalism and provided us the means to PROTECT OURSELVES AGAINST IT! God Blees ';em all and Betty Collins for EXERCISING her RIGHT to protect what is hers! So may we all if and when the need arises!

Marlin208

The libs will make sure this doesn't get out. Why you wouldn't want a story like this splashed all over the nightly news.
Keep pushing the line of crap libs, it is going no where, thinking Americans know better.
This country was built on guns and we will always have guns, ALWAYS. No matter who is in Congress or in the White House.

http://www.mormonstruth.org/products.html Dave P.

Police are not in the business of justice, either. They enforce "the law" and bring in revenue for the state.

Karen Watts

Amen.

http://www.noneofyourbusiness.com Anthony Alexander

Forget the cops...out here people already have several holes dug out in the desert for this. That way when you show up with the package you just dump and bury......No writs, to appeals, no nothing........what happened to him?....Just gone...disappeared....................

Marlin208

Now that's the American way.

disqus_fOg1HwPPDS

Sure used to keep blacks from raping whites in the south! They knew they'd been forthrightly hung by the local neighborhood justice keepers.

Troubleshooter

What happened to who?

http://www.noneofyourbusiness.com Anthony Alexander

Oh you can forget about him....he ain't comin back..............

Lazy J

Not a good idea. That implies you did something wrong. It is not wrong to protect your self, your family or your property. The second amendment of the constitution states your God given right to do that.

http://www.noneofyourbusiness.com Anthony Alexander

It is not an idea. It is ACTION....To bad for the perps who get caught, that's the downside of crime, If they don't like it get another line of work...

Jack Parker

GOOD on her!

snake

This really bothers me, why didn't she shoot the ass----s? Now, we the taxpayers will have to take care of these punks while they do their time in prison....HELP US RID SOCIETY OF SCUM....

Marlin208

Better the way she did it or they would bring her up on charges and you would have some black mama on tv blubbering about her great son being gunned down by some racist white woman.

getthefactsright

The man they showed on the clip was white. Scumbags come in every color.

Mike_Travis

Very true. Just look at congress!

Marlin208

The second guy was black, you could tell by his name.

merry widow

doubt they will ever see prison, best we can hope for is a few days in county lock-up until their crack-wh@re welfare mothers bail them out with OUR money and maybe a short time on self probation

Doc

A woman after my own heart.

Fred_K

She should have shot through the door, and claimed fear for her life. She did not show proper caution, as the criminal could have taken the gun from her and shot her with it. Still, she did a good job, and should be commended for her bravery.

Mike_Travis

Wrong again Fred. Yes she was brave but your advice is again incorrect.

merry widow

mike travis-troll

Mike_Travis

LOL. You obviously haven't read many of my posts, have you. I am only trying to save people from being charged by LE with an unlawful homicide, I am not nor would I ever suggest that a woman or a man for that matter give in to criminals intent on doing them harm. I just know for a fact that as a gun owner, we have a responsibility to follow the law just like any other citizen, especially when we use the law to defend ourselves or our loved ones. There are strict regulations regarding the use of lethal force. Yes it is many times legal to do so, but even in those cases, there are still restrictions and guidelines one must follow to avoid prosecution by LE. Even if you lawfully use a weapon to defend yourself, you can still be sued by the criminal's family.

So read up on the law. The freedom you save may be your own! I stand by what I wrote, and I sure as Hell am no troll. I am one of those Bible believing, God fearing, gun carrying Christians that liberals wet their pants over. So go tell that to Ovomit.

TomG

I see two mistakes she made. The first was when she opened the door when the guy was trying to kick it in. She needlessly exposed herself to the person trying to kick in the door. The second was when she opened the door to confront the person trying to steal the bicycle. Again, needlessly exposing herself to the person trying to steal the bicycle.

JohnHD

If you wanted to see home invasion crime almost entirely eliminated the left should stop the idiotic harassment that they employ for gun control, and instead pass a law that makes it mandatory that each home be required to have a weapon available.

Lerojist

I agree.

merry widow

I have long advocated that all guns confiscated from criminals be issued (with instructions) to citizens to defend themselves AND their "stuff"

CurmudgyOne

Amen Amen Amen. She did exactly the right thing, and luckily (for her and them) the intruders were smart enough to follow her orders.

Fred_K

If the criminals did not follow orders, she would be just as likely dead as they would. Shoot first and ask questions later. It saves a lot of taxpayer money, and the crime rate drops.

Mike_Travis

I know of no state where you can shoot first and ask questions later. Even in states that have castle doctrines, LE is still required to question the shooter even in cases of clear self defense. Then even if the LE does not press charges, the family of the criminal who was shot almost surely will.

No Fred, you need to do some more reading, join US Concealed Carry, Front Sight, or some other reliable source. In any case, you should refrain from giving bad advice that will get someone in trouble or possibly in prison. Your advice is worse than incorrect. It is irresponsible. It leads me to ask whether you are a liberal or just simply ignorant of the law.

LeSellers

I strongly support joining US Concealed Carry, and getting effective training both in shooting and using a firearm.

A licensed carrier is a potential problem if he does not know the law, and he is a detriment to himself and others if he can't hit what he's aiming at.

Mr. Magoo O'bama, will there ever be any Jobs?

pappadave

The solution is, therefore, to shot the bast*rd, call the police to come haul the body away and demand to have a lawyer present before answering ANY questions BY the police....period. You may THINK you were perfectly justified in shooting the guy, but whatever you say to the police CAN be used against you if THEY decide you weren't justified and press charges.

LeSellers

Given it was in Ohio, she would probably have ended up in jail, at least the second time. (I'm not a lawyer, I'm not your lawyer, and I'm not a lawyer in Ohio, so my opinion has no legal value. I did see a lawyer on TV once or twice before 6:30 this morning, though.)

The "Castle Doctrine" only protects a resident if the criminal is inside the house in many states. Her porch doesn't qualify.

Further, as I understand it, the homeowner must be in fear for his life (or that of a family or guest) before applying lethal force. Protecting one's property is not good enough. This is in spite of the fact that one's property is his life, or at least that part of his life it took to earn the money to buy the item (or to make it). The owner may not be dead, but he becomes a slave to the thief for that period.

Again, this is not legal advice, but I believe it to be accurate as far as the broad, general principle is concerned. Your mileage will vary.

Mr. Magoo O'bama, will there ever be any Jobs?

merry widow

sadly, I believe you are at least partly right about way to many states and completely right about some. that's one reason I choose to live in texas where laws regarding protections of persons and their property still make sense---at least for now. with each rust belt yankee moving here looking for a job, it gets harder to maintain our way of life. it never ceases to amaze me why people move to texas ( or the usa for aliens ) and immediately start trying to turn their new home into the HELL HOLE they just left

LeSellers

"Smart enough" isn't "smart enough". If they were truly smart, they wouldn't be criminals in the first place.

'Course, they were probably trained as thieves when their mothers took the welfare checks.

Mr. Magoo O'bama, will there ever be any Jobs?

RightUnite

Seriously... I applaud her for standing your ground, and would have done the same thing, buuuut honestly, I don't think it's necessary to act out what she did.... Just saying what she did should be fine. Pointing that gun anywhere is just makes her look bad. The way she handles that gun just looks like she's not gun savvy... Ok..... I'm off my h horse now...

JDH

You're not looking to close...last picture she held her finger properly "off the trigger"!

Fred_K

She was fortunate the criminal did not take the gun from her. You were on the wrong horse.

Samuel Clemens

He was lucky he didn't try.

Brabbie2002

All moms should be toting and wearing a t-shirt that proclaims "moron labe" - come and get them...that includes crooks, gangbangers, Feds and liberals. I have a right to protect myself, my family, my property! Those not liking this freedom - stay the hell away from me and get off my lawn!

Lazy J

Slight adjustment: That's Molon Labe. Unfortunately, there are a lot of morons who think they deserve to take anything which is yours. Many Kudos to this mother and all her sisters who are protecting themselves, their families and their property.

Wayne

Congratulations to Ms. Collins for stopping the threat and not having tea fire her weapon!
This is a great lesson to all those who think The Second Amendment and your gun rights should be stripped!
The Democrats agenda must be rejected And our Constitution restored!

Doris C

If there is a next time I hope she will not open the door to speak to anyone out there.Talk thru the door,shoot thru the door but keep it closed.

TBJWebmaster

Don't shoot through the door! Who do you think you are, Joe Biden?

Patriot

If someone breaks the plane of the interior of your house, in states with castle laws I believe you can shoot through the door.

TBJWebmaster

We were talking about the front door. If they cross the plane, that door would presumably be open and you would not be shooting through it.

Shooting through a door breaks the rule that you should know your target and what is behind it. You have no guarantee that some innocent person is not in line, in the street, if you can't see through the door! Stupid, even with a castle law.

Grumpy Ernst Keidel

Is writer Onan Coca a foreigner who still hasn't quite grasped the English language? Onan appears to not know the difference between the the verbs lying and laying! The perp wound up lying down, not laying down!

LeSellers

As government-run, tax-funded welfare schools have failed to teach Grammar for some fifty years, this error is now approaching "Standard English".

Alas!

Mr. Magoo O'bama, will there ever be any Jobs?

drbhelthi

The thief understood her language, whatever she said.
"Lying" and "laying" did not begin only recently to be exchanged.

disqus_fOg1HwPPDS

Chaulk that up to the commie- fication of our schools and the non-existant proof-reading of today! I VERY seldom can find even one article, news piece, commentary, etc published by ANY American source in a 24 hour period where there is not at least one glaring typo or poor grammatical usage. I've even seen typos in Headlines from major media sources, wth! My typing and grammar is not perfect but at least I care enough to proof before posting.

EMIRCITNA

AFTER ALL the applause for this Mom, let's get down to the serious fact that she made some very bad mistakes, albeit she was lucky they turned-out in her favor!

#1. NEVER open a door to an unknown person attempting to kick it down, but call police, wait inside with your firearm and USE IT IF THE DOOR BREAKS OPEN!

#2. DISPLAYING or USING a firearm in a MISDEMEANOR will get you into SERIOUS TROUBLE!!!

LeSellers

Theft is not a misdemeanor.

At least not yet. The Progressives will get us there, eventually (next week?).

Mr. Magoo O'bama, will there ever be any Jobs?

EMIRCITNA

YOU HAD BETTER KNOW what the difference is between PETIT THEFT and GRAND LARCENY, my friend!!!!
Bottom Line; A little knowledge of the law is a dangerous thing!!!

LeSellers

Neither "petit" (aka "petty") or "grand" theft is a misdemeanor in many states. That's a distinction you might research. As I said elsewhere, I'm not a lawyer, and, especially, I'm not an Ohio lawyer. What the rules are there is a matter of indifference to me.

The word used was "misdemeanor" in contrast to a felony.

Mr. Msgoo O'bama, will there ever be any Jobs?

EMIRCITNA

NAME ONE STATE where a petit theft is a FELONY!

Tasine

What about the times a firearm is NOT displayed or used and the victim winds up dead? Which is the deadlier of the two? Would you rather be in "serious trouble" or in a casket? One has to make choices in life, and it is my view that each person has an absolute right to decide his own fate in such cases. It is my view that it is no one's business but the potential victim's.

Samuel Clemens

#2- Not in Texas but then our crime rate is not as high as yours where gun control makes a gun a crime.
And luck had nothing to do with it. The gun controls & we have a Castle Law which is why the criminals meekly submitted. The perps are alive; they are the lucky ones.

Marilyn Z

I am always surprised when people from other states talk like that so it is hard to reconcile where they are coming from with how it is in Texas. It is hard to wrap my mind around it being a misdemeanor for showing a firearm to a criminal breaking the law.

EMIRCITNA

IT ALL DEPENDS on the law that is being violated, my friend!
Bottom Line; the use of a firearm can only be JUSTIFIED in certain FELONIES! ~ There is no way that USING a firearm against a person committing a misdemeanor can be 'justified', thus WHY DISPLAY the firearm in the first place and end up in court?!

Samuel Clemens

It's really simple. Look at the figures. The places with the highest crime rates are the places with the highest gun control laws. " Is there a gun in the house or not?" Absolutely not ! = victim. Maybe ? = somewhere else.
A sign is not needed if the 2nd Amendment is in force. The possibility is the deterrent. Works here.

Bonney Bacon

If it was up to our present President and Senate that is what the USA would be like everywhere. Thank God we have the House!

David Stovall

#2. Yes it was a misdemeanor , but there was more to it. Back to #1. she should have stayed inside. Bike incident did not involve fear of your life and maybe the other didn't either. Don't open the door and don't do like one lady told me, "if someone kicks her door she'll shoot through the door".

merry widow

NO, its not a misdemeanor in most states. and shooting through the door is exactly what she should have done if someone is trying to kick their way in. also, it is our right to protect our property as well as our life although laws on that do differ state to state

EMIRCITNA

BS ~ PURE BS!!! Anyone foolish enough to follow YOUR THINKING will surly be in HOT WATER if not prison!
Are you, by chance, related to Joe Biden?!
(NOTE: You are totally confused; #2 relates to the bicycle on the open porch!)

Bonney Bacon

You wish! In most courts the criminal's life is more important! And property is worthless. Thanks to the liberals and their like.

TBJWebmaster

I agree with you about opening the door, but within one's home there is, AFAIK, absolutely no reason why you should not have a firearm in your hand at any time - and if you feel threatened, no reason why that firearm is not pointing towards the intruder.

Clearly the cops thought so too, or we would be hearing "Mother is arrested for defending herself."

I can guarantee that if I hear noises on my porch, I will have a gun in my hand, though I will probably hide it behind my leg (bootlegger's draw) until I'm sure what's going on, mainly to increase the surprise factor should I really need it.

Ian

And I will say to you, Emircitna, that I will take the stance of protecting myself, my family, and my property FIRST. I understand your point about the law, but I'll take my chances.
The people who commit many of the crimes today are drug addicts and just plain low bred scum who initially came to steal your bike, but then, in their drug addled brain, decide it may best to KILL YOU FIRST, and then steal the bike.
Now you are dead, but hey! You stayed within the law, because you didn't take your gun out onto the porch with you.
What is your other alternative? Just hide inside and let him take whatever he wants?
Yes, you are correct about making smart, judicious decisions, but let us not make rash statements. Preserving my life is a hell of a lot more important to me than worrying about violating some scumbags "civil rights."
I'll take my chances with the jury if it comes to that.
But please...feel free to walk out onto your porch unarmed for fear of violating an unconstitutional law or, hide inside of your home while the criminal takes whatever or does whatever they see fit.
Good luck with that.

EMIRCITNA

ALL I'M TRYING to put emphasis on is EVALUATE your situation and USE SOUND JUDGEMENT, my friend!

MERRY WIDOW

you have GOT to be from ny, ca or ill and not even in those states is it illegal to use/display a gun in the circumstances above for the very few who have managed to get state permission to possess a gun. also, even in states opposed to human rights like the 3 listed, long guns are legal and usable for self protection.
IDIOT

EMIRCITNA

WRONG! ~ I'm a long-retired Florida LEO that has a state CCW permit along with the KNOWLEDGE of WHEN and WHEN NOT to display or use my firearm!

Bottom Line; YOU follow YOUR judgment and I'll follow MINE, and we will see WHO ends up on the short-end of the stick, my friend!
(PS: Name-calling only exposes your juvenile nature!)

Samuel Clemens

Let's see if I've got this right. "The only thing that can stop a bad man is a good woman with a gun."

robocop33

Congratulaions Betty Collins! Glad that you stood up for yourself and your family and protected them. You did exactly right and we are proud of you. I pray that it is never required for you to have to be put in that position again but if you are I know that you will again handle it with honor and bravery. God Bless.

Walt

Way to go lady!

Dr.Death

I was on my way back from the shooting range in Angeles National Forrest when a bunch of scumbags in an old pickup truck started playing "chicken" with me (I was in a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle) you know, weaving close to my car, and yelling to "pull over, we're going to kick your ass..." flipping me the bird, throwing old beer cans, etc.
When we came to the Victory Blvd/Burbank Blvd. intersection, where the traffic stopped, these unwashed biker types piled out of the truck, and started their way to my VW, wielding crow bars and short pieces of pipe, like Vikings about to plunder my Volkswagen.

So I reached into my gun bag and pulled out my P35 Browning, and just held it up against the windshield for all the dirtbags to see, at which time they abandoned their advance on my VW, scurried back into the old beat up truck and laid rubber getting away from me. Didn't even have to bust a cap, just the sight of a big semi-automatic pistol was enough.

This is not the only time a pistol has saved my bacon, just by being there. And I'm sure it's not the last, present conditions what they are.
Don't leave home without it.

http://blaze.com/ mathchopper

Never heard of a P-35 Browning.

Patriot

Look it up on the internet.

http://blaze.com/ mathchopper

Do you really believe I would ask the question before checking? Google kept coming up with the P-38 Lightning. An aircraft I'm very familiar with. Love those counter rotating props for additional stability. Love it almost as much as my Mooney M20E.

disqus_fOg1HwPPDS

P-35 Browning, more popularly known as a Browning High Power. Fantastic pistol!

Marilyn Z

Good for you, but I believe I would have shown it long before that. You do run the risk of them having one, too.

Our 46 year old son is never armed and was coming home from Ft. Worth at night, got stopped at a traffic light with his wife in a convertible with the top down. Suddenly, a loony toon grabbed him in his car and was yelling that he cut him off in traffic and if he or his wife had had a gun to show the fella, it would have ended there. Our son is extremely physically fit, but this guy had 20 years on him and they had a fist fight right there in the road. The *boy* did not learn from that and is still unarmed.

I used to beg him to at least carry a baseball bat for those long drives back and forth to the university because there are areas in Fort Worth that he had to drive through that are certain danger zones....this was before cell phones, but he said the cops would call it a weapon if they ever saw it.

We are always armed so his unconcern always worries me. At a party, a loony from our neighborhood pulled a knife on him and when he came home and told us, my husband took him to the PD to file charges on this guy. When the judge asked him if he was in fear of his life, he said NO. He is a brilliant kid, but sometimes I wonder if he has any common sense about safety.

Bonney Bacon

So sorry, I believe you've hit the spot--NO common sense about safety. My eldest is starting to act that way at 29--wish I could fix it but he's an adult--all I can do is hope and pray.

DZz

Remember- Both of these events would have led to her arrest if she fired her gun.

jimchambers

DZz,
Sure about that? I think even in Ohio a person has the right to protect themselves and their property.
I might be wrong though. It is, after all, Ohio, the state that put Obama in the white house.

delong003

Yeah------thanks to my state and those two idiot counties............

Connie Alsip

Yeppers. We have Cleveland and Toledo, and live close enough to Detroit that I don't trust it. You need to have a way to defend yourselves, and it for sure isn't the cops. Keep your powder dry!

Marilyn Z

Seriously? Is that the law in Ohio? It seems to me that if you are trespassing and trying to steal something or break in a front door, you should know that the people inside have the right to kill you on the spot. That would sure prevent my life of crime if I didn't have any morals otherwise.

violater1

Thay is just it you show common sense, criminals have none! Most of them are dumb and dummer!

abbe

The law really only protects criminals not honest taxpaying citizens. Be sure to drag the bodies off the curb turn out your lights and know nothing!

David Nelson

Betty. Good for you!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your actions.

Samuel Clemens

Everybody seems to miss the issue. When criminals think a gun is present, they go somewhere else. No mass killer has yet to shoot up a police station. To date, they have ALWAYS picked a known "GUN FREE ZONE". They are crazy but not stupid

delong003

So that's means that anyone who wants a 'gun free zone' is dumber than a bunch of rocks??? Yep!

Marilyn Z

This is why I sometimes think it would be a good idea to have a sign on the front door that the property is protected by Smith & Wesson, but then I think again and really don't want anyone to know for sure there are guns in the house.

dmttbt

Now if that had been up to Joe Biden he would say shoot through the door with a shot gun. But isn't he suppose to be against people owning a gun? I am proud of Miss Collins and I am glad she didn't have to shoot either of them. What have we come too when people are o bold they try to steal things with you standing there watching them?
Yes the police would have been too late and it isn't easy to hold a 357 and find a phone and dial at the same time. 3 minutes is longer than you think, stand on one foot for three minutes and see how long that is. There can be A LOT OF DAMAGE DONE IN 3 MINUTES.

Nathan51

"What have we come too when people are so bold they try to steal things with you standing there watching them?" Why not? We have half of the country using politicians to steal from the other half and every one is watching them! It's part of that wonderful, compassionate, entitlement mentality fostered by 50 years of "you owe me" welfare. It's only going to get worse when the welfare gravy train runs out of track. Lock and load!

Nathan51

During her first encounter months ago I thought she made a critical mistake opening the door to confront the scum when she was armed. She was lucky that time that things did not turn out very differently. This time she made a huge mistake! Note; she was unarmed during her initial confrontation with the scum. This was industrial strength stupid!!!!! After the initial unarmed confrontation and his refusal to leave she went back inside to retrieve her gun. This lady is beyond lucky. Maybe she should play the lotto!

Marilyn Z

My thoughts exactly. I don't know the law where she lives, but in Texas, I would have shot first and right through the door.

My husband was away on business at least 50 years ago now, I must have had some intuition about it because I warned him that if he comes back in the middle of the night and surprises me, he will be shot because I would be sleeping with my gun and my little dog who would alert me. The fool did exactly that, the dog was alerting and I had the gun aimed at the closed bedroom door when it started to open and there was just enough light to see it was him. You have to be mighty stupid to surprise a female with a gun.

Chris_in_Kalifornia

At my house we always knew to make plenty of noise and turn on lights when we came home late. Mom was a deadly shot with her 38.

Nathan51

Years ago at a former employers office, we had a black gentleman custodian that came in and cleaned the office after hours. It was very common for many of us to come in late at night and work. We were all warned very early on that this guy was always packing so we needed to make plenty of noise when we came in and to yell for him to make sure he knew we were in the building. You definitely did not want to surprise him as one employee found out! Luckily no one was hurt but he got a bit shaken facing a .38.

Chris_in_Kalifornia

Any person should be allowed to carry any time. A bad guy would likely have been in big trouble in the situation you describe. I'd rather be on a plane full of armed citizens intent on getting safely to their destination than to be on one with some terrorist with box cutters. I've seen fights at hockey games, baseball games etc. Never even heard of a fight at a shooting match.

Nathan51

In the 1960's "All in the Family" sitcom, Archie Bunker was not far off the mark with his way to solve the hijacking problem. "Just pass out the pistols at the beginning of the trip and pick them up at the end". As has been often said; "An armed society is a polite society"!

violater1

Well Marylyn I think you just classified your husband, did he learn anything from his dumb asssed move?!

merry widow

my thoughts exactly as I was reading this story. I would have announced once that I had a gun, then I would have fired through the door. my stuff is worth far far more than the life of some scum bag who would take it from me. you steal my stuff, you steal the part of my life I had to work in order to have the funds to buy it. you want stuff, get yourself 3 jobs, work 70-80 hrs a week and BUY it like I did. im to old and tired to earn that money now to replace my stuff but im armed and I WILL kill you if I catch you

Patriotic American

I wouldn't worry about losing my stuff, I would worry about being brutalized or murdered. They can have my stuff. I will defend myself.

http://www.LuckyLuxtonAffiliateMarketing.com/ Keith "Lucky" Luxton

Depends where you are. Thanks to liberal policies in states like Maryland, if you did that the police would probably have charged you with reckless endengerment Remember in many states the criminals have more rights than the victims.

Driver_S

Good going, if there were more ladies and home owners armed the less these maggots would be menacing people. The anti-gun liberal scum need to post signs they are gun free zones. Let the criminals prey on them. They deserve the company they're trying to enable.

Patriotic American

The Liberals all seem to own guns. Have you heard all the anti-gun celebs talk about their armed body guards? Take them away and what are they? Vulnerable to attack by home invaders like the rest of America. We can't let them get their way and disarm the American people. They don't have the right to make laws prohibiting our right to bear arms. We have to fight them and keep fighting to uphold the second amendment. Don't give in. We must all come together instead of allowing the Obama ilk to divide this nation along racial, economic and Constitutional lines. We are all Americans. Let's act like it.

delong003

Good for Betty!! That's the same thing that would happen at my house!!

dave

At my house those thugs would have been doing the funky chicken in the front lawn after I kicked the $hit out of them !!

Chris_in_Kalifornia

It's nice for you that you are able to do that. Many of us would not be able to physically do anything were it not for the great equalizer. A 357 beats a 6 footer any day of the week.

We could do what the Communist Chinese did when they took over in China. They rounded up all the dealers and immediately executed them. (A bullet to the head and a bill to the family for the bullet.) Then they rounded up the users and gave them a chance to get off the stuff. If they got clean they got to live; if not they were also executed! Really harsh but you have to admit, it definitely curbs the problem with drug abuse!

hbbill

We could use the same technique at the border. There will be some unfortunate incidents at the start, but once everyone sees that it is a death sentence to cross illegally it will stop.

Nathan51

First shot at the feet is the one and only warning. Next shot is to the head! Leave the bodies where they fall as a warning to others.

Boy, Howdy you got that right! That would end the newcomers then we can get rid of 11million of the old criminals! Kids born here and all sorry Criminal parents teach criminal activities! Therefore they all must go back and then apply appropriately and when their number is called I for one would welcome them as long as they will work and not sponge off the rest of us!

acronymous

Sure, it curbs the problem. But then you have another little problem. The power to kill with impunity is heady and intoxicating to quite a few young men. When watered and cultivated, that power grows into an addiction.

When all was said and done, according to the "black book of communism", there were some sixty million dead.

That cure is far worse than the disease.

Nathan51

Yes, the cure may be worse than the disease but a society that looses all sense of morality and refuses to police itself it will eventually, out of frustration, sign its own death warrant.

abbe

amusing...we already have laws prohibiting street drugs where has Lerojist been hiding.

http://blaze.com/ mathchopper

Lerojist has no clue. Must be part of our new voting majority.

violater1

Yea, yea,yea thats just what we need is more laws to make our lives safer and happier! NOT! Then the lawyers get richer playing in the court at gosh awful hourly fees and we still have the
same ole, same ole crap!
Math I know you were being facious and I had the same thought of response!

http://blaze.com/ mathchopper

Thanks for your support.

Lerojist

From the material I've read of all the violence from shootings in schools, the recent naval yard, and more, ALL the people had been on drugs, whether it be legal or illegal. Most of them LEGAL.

What a better way for an enemy within to use an army of drug crazed people to do the work for them, cause violence.

I say, we need to clean up the medical/pharma industry...for the most part they're wicked. The AMA was born out of war.

If we can't make a law, since I think the FDA is nothing but an arm for the AMA, perhaps, if the people quit depending on the AMA, and depend on common sense, and whole foods to heal themselves, they may get well. And most important turn to God's Word, instruction on dietary laws...trust in God's Word.

Brian P.

The thugs KNEW what they were doing was illegal, they KNEW police could be called but won't be there in time, the ONLY thing that convinced them to change their mind is an armed citizen. It's just common sense. Something politicians either lack or are unwilling to acknowledge.

Lee Baldwin

the thing to know about our politicians wanting to DISARM We the People, is they need to disarm us to be able to force We the People into submission. Much like the way Adolf Hitler did the exact same thing. Hitler too used children and sympathy as his weapons to disarm the good citizens of Germany and look how THAT turned out. This creep popularly known as obama IS a muslim. Go read
their quran. It plainly tells all muslimes they will be asked to kill infidels if they do not want to convert to being a muslime. EVERYBODY that is not a muslime is an infidel. ~GOD Bless America!

abbe

Once elected public officials are willingly lobotomized

violater1

Especially all liberals as it is a demoncrap requirement that to become one half your brain must be eliminated immediately if not sooner!

violater1

'Some' politicians lack or have lost or perhaps discarded to get their special interest payoffs! Build that bank account don't ya know and morals and ethics be hanged!

Vixmith

The thugs in this news story were intending to steal stuff from Betty Collins and she dealt with them.
We The People must realize and apply that same concept of THUGGERY to everybody who acts like these thugs...including our own government as they steal from us.
That is all. Thanx, VGS

violater1

Roger, VGS over and out!

Old Curmudgeon

This article is one of hundreds of occurrences around the country where citizens protect themselves, their families and property by using a firearm without ever firing a shot. It just disproves the gun grabbers lie that all armed citizens are just itching to shoot someone. In this instance the firearm changed the disparity of force in favor of the young mother rather than the thugs.

DAN

THATS ANOTHER REASON NOT TO LET THESE DUMMIES TRYING TO TAKE OUR GUNS

NoCrud

And tell those gun confiscators that THEY ain't gettin' our bikes, either.

acronymous

The liberals' idea is that she should just accept that the man wanted the bicycles and no bicycle is worth a human life. If he wants it, give it over already.

axmickl

Maybe Bloomburgh would like to purchase a bunch of bikes and give them to crooks. That might stop them for a few seconds.

NoCrud

You think a real thief would be satisfied with one bike? And, how old was that kid? I wonder if he wanted to rid the bike or sell it for a "fix."

axmickl

I think I said it might stop the crooks for a few seconds. Unless you don't know what a second is you are not reading what you see.

HOFFHACK

We just need to give them some "PRECIOUS METALS!!" Have you seen the price of lead and copper lately!!! (lol)

Jackie

So true. Only you can prevent crime. Cops are only effective after the crime has occured. Nor dolaws stop crime. They are only useful in the prosecution of crime. If you don't know this you are quite stupid.

notmyfault150

Holy crap! With the second one, she opened her door, confronted the man, telling him to leave, then retrieved the gun? WTH! I hope someone told her that was not smart. That one could have turned very deadly for her! I commend her for what she did but sounds to me she needs some re-training!

One very smart mom. Keep a loaded gun handy and ready. Educate your children to leave it alone until they are big enough to learn the how and why and when they should handle a gun. Too bad she had to use it twice. These young guys are very fortunate she did not pull the trigger.
I had to use mine in much the same way once. Never had to pull the trigger either. It's amazing how much attention to what you say when you have one of these in hand.
Criminals seem to hear so much better.

PALADIN

She shouldn't be opening the door. With the first guy, after telling him she was armed and he continued, she should have let him kick the door on in, then once inside blown him away.

NoCrud

And if she had fired a warning shot into her floor, police would probably have charged her with reckless endangerment and her child/ren taken from her. Some police are very jealous of who has guns.

$14832922

I'm surprised that the was not arrested for "felony brandishing" or "Felony Assault" for "threatening" the bad-guys.

EMIRCITNA

"JEALOUS"...I don't think so; LEERY...YES!

The duck

You are wrong there. She did exactly right. As long as she was a safe distance which allows for the guy to enter but does not she would has acted responsibly. Since the guy chose to do as she said and laid down waiting for law enforcement everything worked in her favor. She taught the dumb A** a very good lesson. If you want to come in knock softly and wait for an invitation. Don't try to destroy someone else's home. Bet he will think that over for some time.

PALADIN

Gun laws may be different where YOU'RE from. HERE, you have to prove fear of loss of life if you shoot and kill someone. If she had shot and killed him on her front porch, after SHE opened the door and stepped out, OUR police probably would have taken her in. HERE, it's best to let them break on in and then you can claim that you were in fear for your life and justified in blowing them away.

PALADIN

YOUR gun laws must be different where you're from. HERE if you can't prove that you were in fear for your life, you're not justified if you end up shooting him. If he had broken the door in and come inside, she can claim that she was in fear for her life. If she shoots him on her porch, after SHE opened the door and came out, HERE she may have been arrested. Just the way it is here. I like Texas laws myself.

violater1

Yes it is true yee ole firearm improves auditory commands so well that every person in America should be allowed to open carry! What you want to bet crime levels would drop overnight if we could do so as for those of us who may wish to carry on their person!
That is truely the purpose along with the militia factor of our Second Amendment rights under the constitution!

Bryan W. Carpenter

I'm glad that in Texas, my wife doesn't have to go through the danger of a conversation with the criminal. One loud bang and the criminal gets it, a little late perhaps but with a lot less exposure to the female.

HOFFHACK

A-B-S-O-L-U-T-E-L-Y!!! She was lucky she was dealing with dum azzes both times! Letting him get within arms reach is dangerous!!! I don't know! I feel that a nice 20 gauge mossberg 500 is a much better, and usually much less expensive self protection weapon (less dangerous to the Neighbors too) Think about lt! Yell out: Hey A.. H..., listen to this: (and rack that slide) come through that door and they will send you home in a sponge!!!" And just listen to the running footsteps!!!! That sound will quickly put the fear of God into the biggest & badest!!! No shell are needed!!! (but recommended:)

Bryan W. Carpenter

You got it right. A criminal will hear my 12 gauge rack one in as a hot hull hits the floor. Criminals should not be allowed to walk off for an activist judge to turn loose. If he's dead at the door you KNOW you got the right one.

Chris_in_Kalifornia

Saw that back in the 60's when the Watts Riots were happening. Person with a couple of bags of looted stuff ignored the "Stop" command but when the LEO racked the slide, both bags hit the ground and the perp's hands went straight up.

Phil McMorrow

Besides the .357 Magnum, Betty might consider obtaining a very protective dog such as a German Shephard or Rottweiler. Nothing like a snarling attack dog to scare the crap out of the bad guys.

Chris_in_Kalifornia

That's not much good if the bad guys throw a big steak over the fence. Better to keep a little yappy dog inside the house.

RedRiverD

We have 3....
One of which is a German Shepard.....

Chris_in_Kalifornia

We have a German Shephard Dog, an Anatolian Shephard, a Mutt that was supposed to be half daschound but is as big as the GSD and a Jack Russel Terrier who warns us if anyone is near.

Poodleguy

Typical Kalifornicator when it comes to reality...........Even "little yappy" dogs sound an alarm to give you time to react &/or respond..........

Chris_in_Kalifornia

Why do you think I said it was better? Are you nuts or something? Haven't you read any of my other posts? If you had, you'd know that what you said makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. You keep a little yappy dog inside the house where it can't be influenced by the steak over the fence gambit and it wakes you up so you can get your gun ready in case some idiot wants to invade your home. If you're ready, you have a much better chance of shooting him rather than him shooting you or worse.

Wayne Recla

We have "Watch Birds" with a minimum 4' wing span, can bite 2500psi and will let you know when someone is as far away as the road (who needs a dog, LOL!!!). We can not even hear someone walking outside, but the birds can hear their foot steps that far away and throwing them a steak will not shut them up, they only take food from us (the family).

It is "KNOWN" Not to ever, even in an emergency, try to get inside my home as it is not a safe thing to do, even by all the family.

Night vision camera's reach out further than the road, are around the house 360 degree's and since "boobie traps" are illegal, there are multiple "alarms" that not only go off if someone is out side, but also give away their location (depending on which light is on or multiple locations if there is more than one, which let's me know where EXACTLY where anyone is outside. The alarms are not loud enough to hear in the next room, much less outside since I sleep very, very light, but loud enough to wake me as well as vibrate my pillow which wakes you in a HURRY as your head is going rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr and it is a nuisance vibration, not a "fall back asleep vibration".
If you are not allowed by law to own a gun (as I saw written earlier), trap door's are very easy to make between the joints of the floor, which buy's you time to get out or just open the birds cage, LOL!!

Aircraft landing lights situated at the doorway of every room also confuses the intruder as he/she will have to shoot them out in order to see to try to get to you and each bullet shooting out a light is a bullet less to shoot at you, ESPECIALLY if they are set to strobe. You can also buy multiple strobe lights and set them up, but you want BRIGHT LIGHTS and all these lights set to turn on another light when one is shot out, especially when multiple lights are set at the same place, just far enough that under strobe it appears as though it is the same light going off again, multiple times, which gives the "illusion" the light can not be shot out and continues to "repair" itself. Many people just freak out at that and would run out, LOL!!
As the intruder is focusing on the strobe lights at the "wrong end" of the house, you can be setting the trip line, just in case he/she starts in your direction and would hit the floor HARD after being in a VERY BRIGHT area of lights and now in complete darkness and even if they had a flash light, the lights they just came from are so bright, their eye's would never adjust in time.
Use your imagination, remember the "Fun Houses" from carnivals, parks, fairs, etc. and use your imagination if you have no gun, however, remember, after he/she just came out of the very bright lights and into darkness, YOU have the advantage. Their eye's are now wide open, trying to see after coming from light and into darkness, so, remember, their eye's will be wide open, trying to focus and trying to see light, which is a PERFECT TIME for a good squirt of "Bear Spray" and a few Million Volts from a good "Stun Gun". There is also a Flashlight made for protection. You shine the light in their eye's to blind them (it is bright), then turn off the light and the bodies natural reaction is to try to see, meaning their eye's will dilate, the eye lid's will open as much as possible in order to see and that is when YOU push the "other button" and they get a good, close range squirt in a pair of wide open eye's of (basically) Bear Spray, then use the Multi Million Volt Stun Gun as you are calling 911 and letting them know YOU are being attacked and someone has broken into YOUR home and you have no gun.
Also, after tripping over the "trip line", they are focusing on another "something" to trip them and that is when you hit high. A good, cut down, short baseball bat, hollowed out and filled with lead aimed for the "upper area" of the intruder would most likely put them to sleep, but remember, you do not have to stop with one hit as at this time you are fearing for your life, so, as many as it takes to "stop the invader" before the police can arrive to "save you".
If by chance the invaders have made it through your "maze of hope", another thing you can do is to always keep a huge, super size drink cup, full of water on your night stand. Along with the water on the nightstand, you have a wire run from a plug in your wall (120 volt) to a switch along side your bed, on your head board mounted horizontally or vertically, which ever is easier to reach faster and without being noticed that you are moving, even a rocker type switch mounted on the inside area on your foot board you can control with your foot without being noticed, (you just want to be safe and not allow the intruder to know you are moving toward something, as they will think it is a gun or knife. From the switch, you run the wire under your carpet, throw rug, molding along the wall and to the exact place they will have to step (we have a small step down in order to get into our room and that is where you WILL step to get into our room as there is no other way in as there are things "blocking" or "in the way" and even if not, you still have to "step down" as there is no other way into our room. At that point, right under the step down over-hang, there is bare 120V electricity that YOU control, at the ends of the wire run to the "step down area" and under the small overhang, mounted where someone coming into the room can not see the wires, the last 6 - 8 inches of wire is stripped- (not a good idea if you have lots of kids in the home or even irresponsible or mental challenged people in the home), let's go on...,
This is one of the last ditch efforts if you have no gun (for whatever reason), throw the "Big Gulp", "Super Size", "Extra Large" cup of about 40+ ounces of water where the intruder will "step down". They will think it is another "trick" to trip them, but "AH HA!!", this time the "trick to trip me did not work" and as they are standing in the big drink water, you push, slide, click, flip, etc. the "on switch" one of several ideas you can do easily from the bed

You really do not want bars on the windows or doors as I have heard of way too many people dying in a house fire because they were unable to get out, however, it is worth looking into as it has been YEARS since I checked them out and there may be new, quick release bars that only the owner would be able to quickly release in case of another emergency.
That is all for now, tired and hungry:)

Hope some of this helps someone and NOT "The bad guy".

violater1

Ms. Betty you go lady! Good job and I am betting if they disobeyed your demands they would have recieved a metal of unfavorable valor for their troubles! Perhaps if your local news would publicize your stand these imbeciles might stop visiting your place! May God bless and keep you and yours safe from harms way in the future!

Annegelinas

And of course ask herself why are these idiots continually picking on her house? What kind of kids or young men reside in her neighborhood. and Yes, a large dog whose job is to protect her and the house, is recommended.

NoCrud

You have to remember where it happened and the composition of the population there.

HOFFHACK

T/M country!!! I have two signs on both my doors: "To HeII with the dog, beware of owner!" and the other: "This house is protected by GOD and a GUN, come in un invited and you will get to meet both!"

Anna

Yes, you are right, a dog is ok but if they bring a piece of meat, well there goes your security. So I say you are 100% correct. Your Guns & God are home, so don't mess in this home. More people should be so lucky & blessed.

$14832922

Only if the dog's name is Ruger, Colt, or Smith & Wesson.

John

Dogs are great. They will usually start barking before you see or hear a trespasser, giving you the time to insert a magazine and chamber a round ahead of time. I recommend a dog for the fact that they are great pets and provide ample warning if anything is going on.

And one should never, ever yell at your dog for barking at passers by. I always loudly tell my dogs I see what he sees and thank them for letting me know that someone is around. Anyone who hears it knows that I take my dogs' communication seriously and observe what he brings to my attention.

One night 20 years ago it mattered for me. I pray to God it will never matter again, but I don't ever want to discourage my dogs from doing their job.

Poodleguy

Well done & well stated..........except for one crucial thing - - why would you need to take time to load or chamber when it should be common practice to stand @ the ready. A split second can me the difference between life & death. Of course, proper security of loaded firearms is essential, depending on how many people live in the home. Fortunately, I live just w/my 3 Std Poodles & I have never taught them gun safety!!!

John

Understood. I live in the Socialist Republic of New Jersey. Trying not to break too many rules. My access is pretty quick.

I actually cannot wait to get out of this state.

Poodleguy

Dogs are the best theft deterrent a homeowner can have! Thieves & burglars (one in the same,of course) will not enter a home if they hear dogs barking. I am a Std Poodle breeder & have 3 adult large Std's that notify me of someone approaching my home long before they ever get to my front door!!!!

NoCrud

My uncle once stopped some punks from robbing him by just tapping the barrel of his gun on the car door's window bottom. They suddenly smiled and backed off. Most of them don't want to be confronted with a gun in the hands of someone willing to use it.

Marilyn Z

Then there was a guy alone in an RV parked overnight in a rest area when he heard men whispering outside the RV. He put a shell in his shotgun, never said a word, but they heard it and got out of there.

HOFFHACK

I'm surprised he waited that long!! The last one that tried it with me turned and ran so fast that the hounds couldn't catch him, messin his pants the whole time!! Staring down the barrel of a .45 will do that to you!

Poodleguy

Best self defense round ever designed, the .45 ACP, circa 1911......

HOFFHACK

Well, mine it the new .45 GAP, which hits almost 90% of the .45 ACP, (which is basically a .45 ACP shortened 1/4 of and inch) and I can slip the Glock 39 in my shorts pocket!! With a plus 2 mag extension, I get 9+1!!!!! 1911 is a fine weapon, but there's no way to hide it on my portly azz! I still think the 20 ga. SG is better for a women at home who does not shoot a lot!

Poodleguy

You're a good man, Hoffhack..........you must be since you & I basically agree on a lot of subjects!! Not familiar w/the .45 Gap. I am now carrying a Ruger P345 & it weighs a ton & ain't concealable on my small frame.....however, I have a new Ruger LCP in .380 for backup & it is tiny!!!!

DAN

I THINK OUR PRESIDENT SUCKS , NOT WORTHY TO BE CALLED A MAN THATS MY OPINION , PLEASE KEEP ALL YOUR GUNS

sonnieC

Dan you are 100% right about our so called president. He is destroying or trying to destroy our country with all the crap he is doing to our nation. This Obama has to be impeached and run out of our country and back to Kynia .

HrtbeatofAmerica

I AGREE WITH THE OBAMA PART, BUT, DO YOU HAVCE A SIGN IN YOUR YARD THAT SAYS.."THIS IS A GUN FREE ZONE"?

OldCorpsEd

I think he means "don't give up your guns".

Kingscairn

Don't be a fool and by a new ' has to be registered gun '...do society a favor and buy up the ones on the black market - better they be in your hands and not the criminals !

Poodleguy

I don't know what state you reside in, but there is no such thing as gun registration in most of the 50 states, as it is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment...........infringed, anyone? Never, ever forget registration leads to confiscation, EVERY DAMN TIME!!!! Germany, Hitler, 1935..............

Bonney Bacon

California

Kingscairn

Beyond NFA (Title II weapons ), anytime you purchase a gun from a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer, you are required to undergo a federal background check and fill out a Firearms Transaction Record (a.k.a, Form 4473). While this is not technically the same as registering a gun, it is a record of the purchase - soooooo, I guess, with semantics (pc) aside ... there is definately a record of the gun, where it is and the chump that bought it - which, I believe, was my point !

Poodleguy

Those records are kept by the gun dealer & not the fed gov't. Therefore, there is no federal registration nor can there be without violation of law!! Words mean things, my fellow & registration is one I cannot abide.............

Kingscairn

Why is the dealer required to keep such records if not for future reference/viewing ? Who's future viewing ? For what purpose, intentions implied or incidental ? You can't foresee a time, incident or Government roundup due to, oh gee, let's see-how about a fascist style "gun ban" and confiscation (much the buzz these days) where all the Govt has to do is acquire the records and begin confiscation due to some (contrived or not) oh hell, gee, maybe (struggling here) let's say a F******G "DECLARATION OF MARSHALL LAW" - to far fetched for you to grasp maybe ?

Well, I suppose that's just to "Right Wing" TEA PARTY Patriot conspiracy theory for a smart guy like you...Our Govt would never break the law like "Ruby Ridge", "Waco", "Fast and Furious", "Benghazi", "NSA falsely accuse a journalist of Spying" or illegally using a non partisan Govt agency like the IRS as a weapon against citizens with diferent Political views than you ", ..
Had enough or would you like to carry your futile exercise in intellectual combat further ?

hangman57

I don't have a problem killing someone who break into my house ,as long as the morgue don't mind carrying them away.

rams375

I was taught and taught mine, you never point a firearm without intending to shoot. If I aim at you it is not for threat, you are done.

RedRiverD

That's exactly right.
My first divorce, my ex said I pointed a gun at her.
I told the judge, IF I had pointed a gun at her she would not be here telling you lies.....

PatrickJT

If the creep obeys your commands you should reconsider. The legal ramifications of shooting even someone who is clearly a threat can be daunting. I'm not saying don't shoot him, I'm saying use good judgement.

Poodleguy

This is how it is to be done: when encountering a threat, display the weapon, muzzle up to make the show of superior force & shout very loudly "Freeze". Normally, this will stop the threat but if not, then lower your piece & let fly! Never if @ all possible allow the threat to come any closer than 20 ft, any closer & the perp can attack you before you can get a round off. If you have to retreat to that safe distance & the perp moves w/you, shoot the son of a bi itch!!!!!

hangman57

I caught a black guy looking into my van ,probably ready to jack my van . I came around the van and asked him .What he was doing ? He said nothing , I don't him he better get the F----- Out of here before I bust a cap in your Ass . He took off like Jesse Owens . Have not seen that guy again. I think he got the point.

Poodleguy

When you can't get respect, fear is the next & only option!!!!! It has worked for me 5 times in Phx over a period of 20 yrs & I never had to "bust a cap"..............Still packin'!!!!!!!!!

vinagaroon

shoulda let him break in then shoot in the head. No more problems from that worthless scum.

HOFFHACK

Now that's one "Pistol Pakin Momma!!!" Just a shame none had the gonads to "MAKE HER DAY!!!!" One less T/M look alike to have to face again! And what did the last guy get??? A misdemeanor!!! Some Al Sharpton cloan of a Lawyer probably had him out with a slap on the wrist in less than 24 hours!

Poodleguy

Pistol Packin' Momma...............betcha can't name the flip side of that very popular song from the WW2 era, can ya??? BTW: it is "Wilberforce, Get Off That Horse" (& bring him in for lunch!) WW2 meat shortage protest song, if you will! We all need a chuckle today after watching the idiot socialist demonrats trying to put the blame on the republican House of Representatives for the obamliar/harryreid cabal's refusal to except anything but complete fealty to the skinny Kenyan Kid, who would be king, don't ya know?????

HOFFHACK

Betcha I can!!! "Rosalita!!!"

Joe Biden is so stupid!! Putin flipped BO the bird and Biden said: "See, He thinks we are # 1.........Yah know you just ruined my dinner by mentioning that POS!

sonnieC

Way to do it girl. Good job on your part. If it was me I would of blew his head off on the spot that worthless piece of crap.

CombatVet

To bad she didn't finish the scum bag off, I'm real proud of this woman

Praise God! thank you JESUS that Ms Collins and her family are safe!
we have to know how and when to protect ourselves!

bob machaffy

Yeah there is always the possibility those 2 will return to get even after being slapped on the wrist by liberal judges

Buyerbwear

And she should have that gun cleaned, loaded and ready for business.

venturamickey

Amen girl way to go now lets make sure our voices are heard loud and clear when the gun haters make more laws and try to defeat our 2nd amendment right to bear arms.

USCBIKER

She should be more careful opening the door like that. An armed intruder can shoot her, esp. if they see she's armed. I've reinforced all my home's doors and would wait until the perp has at least crossed the threshold or broken down the door.

Buyerbwear

Indeed; at which point, she should then scream loudly, then pull the trigger--the gun, of course, pointed @ the perp's chest, about where his heart ... was.

themtnman

That would be only if he didn't follow her commands EXACTLY as she wanted him to do.

NOT ALL BAD ACTORS DESERVE TO DIE some can be educated, I have even had some that turned out to be GOOD employees after doing time and have one living on my RV park who is now the best renter I have ever had he has been here about 9 years, has never had anyone complain about ham and has never missed or been late on a payment and that's after 15 years in prison for armed robbery.

We have a friend like that...darned good guy now, but he used to forge checks. Now he has a wife and baby, lives in the country and can't own a gun to protect his family. Fortunately, his wife is a firefighter without any felonies and she can own and handle a gun. BUT, had I known this kid back when he was doing this stuff and he were removed from the face of the earth, I would never have missed him.

I wonder if the people these *bad actors* committed offenses against, have forgiven them.

Seriously, you are much more forgiving than I am. A couple of creeps stole $20,000 from my grandfather long ago and he refused to press charges because he felt he was the guilty party for leaving it where anyone could gain access to it. Much kinder man than I would be.

As my father always said, Locks only keep honest men honest. The bad guys destroy everything in their paths to get at what they want.

Poodleguy

Thankfully, there are exception to the rule. The major cause of ex cons returning to crime is the fact most are illiterate, which certainly minimizes their opportunities to prosper. Prisons are for punishment, not rehabilitation.......that can come only when the inmate wants it, it cannot be forced! The prisons should do everything they can to see that no inmate is released back into society until they have a working command of the English language as written!

Poodleguy

"Was" is the proper terminology for what would happen to the dude's heart if it were to encounter a 158 grain h/p!!!!!!!! Several yrs ago in NM, a shootout between sheriff's deputies armed w/the .357 & a perp resulted in the perp having one of his arms blown off with one round!!

Buyerbwear

I just love a story with a happy ending.

giant33

You won't see this on 60 minutes,msm and prime time.

http://www.arizonadon.com/ Arizona Don

Your kidding, really?

giant33

What's to kid about, you won't see this story on the major tv networks. It dosen't fit their agenda. Am I wrong?

elmcqueen3

Women need more gun control...That .357 was a good choice!

Poodleguy

I agree, however not too many of the distaff side can deal w/the recoil & very, very loud report!! Personally, I don't like the 9mm but it is much more comfortable to shoot than many other rounds & the magazines can hold up to & over 14 rds of it, depending on the make & model. My fave is the .45 ACP & the S&W .40 cal is right up there. The .380 ACP (9mm Kurz or short) is very popular today & many makes are available chambered for it. I also have a Ruger LCP in .380 & it is so easy to conceal due to it's smallish size. Now, to the best of the 'popular' magnums: I have owned .357's, .41's & a .44 magnum & to me, the best is the .41 Mag, due to it's flat shooting accuracy & the ballistics that are better than the other two. Just an old shooter, hunter, former military & collector of firearms! God bless America & the 2nd Amendment!!!!!

marshallbrinson

My girlfriend uses a Ruger SP-101 2 inch, in .357 Mag but loaded with Hornady Critical Defense Lite rounds. Recoil is helped due to weight of the firearm. A friend got his wife an Ultra-Lite .357 Mag and even with lite loads...it hurts her hand. The Ruger is hammerless and is one of her carry guns. The other is a .380 Bodyguard, and recoil between the two is about even...

Valor

I have been carrying the Ruger SP-101 in .357 for over 20 years now. Even with stout loads I find the recoil not objectionable, although the "bark" is pretty loud. I think the design of the rubber grips helps considerably. I used to have a S&W snub nose in that caliber and it was not pleasant to shoot. The first time I shot the Ruger I expected it to smart, and was very pleasantly surprised that it didn't.

Lazy J

That SP-101 sure is a sweet little piece. With Pachmeyers, it is very easy to control also.

Valor

Yes, it is indeed. I haven't tried Pachmeyers on it, but never felt the need. My wife has the SP-101 in .32 H&R Magnum. I hand load for it and it is no slouch either.

roscoe

My wife cares a 410/45 judge with 3" barrel,everybody said she wouldn't be able to handle it but it doesn't kick any worse thaan a 357.she keeps it loaded with buckshot,4 32 cals coming at the same time.ouch.

FIRE1949

I am an avid shooter and have shot many pistols, many calibres. When I tried a Judge, I found it very unbalanced/unwieldy. Depending on circumstances, I usually carry Colt Combat Commander .45 ACP 185 gr. HP, or a Ruger SP101 w/ .38 wadcutters. Hard to beat old fashion wadcutters for tearing up flesh.
Just my three cents worth.

Kingscairn

(Ssshhhh, they're listening ! )

FIRE1949

I know, but I have been on the SS watchlist for nearly 13 years. Tom Daschle made false allegations against me, sicked the SS on me, allegations were proven false, but once on the list, you never get off of it.

Accordingly, screw all the libs.........I fear no evil liberals/progressives.......Mono Labe.......I will die standing, not living on my knees.

Kingscairn

I'm with ya (as are an army of thousands) ...It won't be long if things don't change, that when the top blows off, it will get ugly - Fight, F***, or go for your guns !

W_R_Monger

Instead of the .380 try the Makarov round (9X18). It's a bit shorter than the standard 9mm but imparts more energy. Commie rounds are always loaded hotter but then again you sacrifice some accuracy going that route. However, at the ranges we're talking about (within the span of two arms lengths or so) the ability to hit a 1 inch pattern at 25 yards seems somewhat less important than completely disabling your target.

Btw, I don't particularly like the 9mm luger
either. Not enough penetrating energy.

elmcqueen3

You are a brother at arms...Unless a woman is an avid shooter and knows her guns...A 357 is a lot of fire power and like you said...Very loud...Semi-automatic pistols such as the 9mm and 45 ACP are not for women who shoot only once a year or less...I almost blew my ear drums out with a 357 by not using ear muffs...Our ears become more sensitive with age...I've given my daughter a snub nose 38 special which she hates to shoot saying its too loud...She doesn't understand that all guns are loud...I took Joe Biden up on his words and bought her a pump 410 shotgun...Shorten the stock to fit her arm length and reduced the barrel to 18 inches +...It holds only 5 rounds but the ammo I bought has 5-38 caliber round balls in front of the charge...Thats 25 rounds as fast as she can pull the trigger...Awesome firepower and surprisingly the groups are tight...Like 5 inches at 15 yards...Ouch!...For a woman a revolver in 38 cal. would be my recommendation...They now have light load designed especially for female shooters...Cool ammo...It even comes in a pink box!

OldCorpsEd

Response time for 911 is minutes; response time for a 1911 is 930 feet-per-second.

You bet, fellow Arizonan but I like accuracy in rhetoric as well as on the target, so I had to make the correction. No harm or foul meant..............

http://www.arizonadon.com/ Arizona Don

None taken

Wayne Recla

Poodleguy-
802 fps??? You are correct, however, you are correct a long time ago That is a bit out dated. Things have come a Loooong Way since 1955-57. (BTW, THANK YOU for your service:)

A bit of history on the 45ACP/John Browning/ 1911/ etc.
Since we are speaking of Marines, we will use their manual/information-

History: According to the Marine Corps “Guide Book for Marines” 1965 Chapter 24, page 301, we find the M1911A1 issue pistol with a Muzzle Velocity of 802 feet per second. Chamber pressure: 14,000 psi. US Army barrel specification for that pistol is a
MAXIMUM CHAMBER PRESSURE of 17,000 psi.
Shooting modern ammunition in these mil spec guns is unsafe!

Since that time, the 1911 has "evolved" to SAMMI specification of 2006, which states new barrel Maximum chamber pressure is 21,000 psi. Guns in military service and in commercial use are subject to increasingly higher cartridge pressures and therefore should be upgraded to insure safety of the shooter.

Plus P (+P) .45 ACP ammunition: This has a chamber pressure of 23,000 psi and in some loads the pressure even goes to 24,500 psi. Let me pull a quote for you:
“If +P loadings are used in firearms not specifically designed for them they may cause damage to the weapon and injuries to the operator”.

“Plus P,” “Super” and the Rowland .460 acp:
First is a sharp increase in cartridge maximum pressures. Maximum Average Pressure is:
45ACP today (21,000 PSI),
45ACP +P (23,000 PSI+),
45 Super (28,000 PSI+),
460 Rowland (40,000 PSI+).
The result of this pressure increase is a potential for 185-grain (12.0 g) bullets to achieve 1,500 ft/s (460 m/s) MV and 230-grain (15 g) bullets to achieve 1,340 ft/s (410 m/s).
The only 1911 pistol designed to handle this load is the Combat NCO and a NCO barrel.

Does it SOUND like we should be shooting modern ammo in the old 1911 A1?
How about your and earlier era Commercial pistol?
Do the math.
If the military manual states pressure of a 1911A1 is 17,000 psi and off the shelf junk ammo 230gr. 825 fps is rated at 21,000 to 23,000 psi what do you think you should do, gamble or fix it?

Proof pressure of a +P is a minimum 33,000 psi! And anything over 880 fps is a +P.

1- 802 fps with what type of gun (there is a lot more than one type of 1911 as well as modifications, ammo, manufacturers, etc)
2- What type of barrel material?
3- What length barrel?
4- What modifications on the gun?
5- What brand ammunition?
6- What weight bullet?
7- What type of powder is used?
8- What type of bullet is used?
9- How far are you above sea level?

There are way too many variances to say the velocity as "Fact" unless you know ALL the variances, or, best of all, shooting over a Chronograph, in which there will still be variances, even when handloaded using high technology equipment of today, to include powder scales (that are certified correctly), and a certified powder trickler to get the EXACT SAME powder charge EVERY TIME.

Even with all this attention to loading accurately, you will never get a load to shoot "exactly the same velocity" every time the trigger is pulled.
I have studied this "effect" using everything from powder burners, spring guns, nitro piston guns, Co2 guns and High Pressure Air Guns (HPA Guns- 2,000 PSI - 3362 PSI) and all have the same effect. If there is a gun that shoots a projectile at the same exact velocity EVERY TIME, accurate and not cost prohibitive, I would love to get one, however, either way, I would like to have more information on it, such as web pages, etc. I would think there is some type of laser, etc. that is able to do that, but would like to see something more conventional, like a hand held weapon under 7 pounds for a long gun and under 3 pounds for a pistol style.

Anyhow, thank you for your service to this country and sorry the country you laid your life on the line for has turned out like this, mostly because of White House politicians that have never wore a uniform or any of their children, that is, unless it was a sham, just to say "so & so" was in the military and was never in a REAL fire fight, plenty of those to go around too, just depends on who you "daddy" is, LOL!!

Lazy J

A long gun with 7 lb wt? That sounds like an Ithica Featherlite 12 ga pump. I bought one many moons ago. It still shoots extremely well and is a great self defense weapon loaded with 2 3/4 00 buck field loads. It has one problem indoors. The 28 in bbl could be a little shorter, say about 18.5 inches like the new Mossberg home defender.
All this discussion of different loads and pressures reminds me of a demonstration I saw of an idiot using modern smokeless powder in a black powder piece. There wasn't much left of the piece. The cylinder peeled back like an over ripe banana. The idiot survived, but his hand was mangled.

W_R_Monger

I like my SAA .45 Colt at 925 fps with a 255gr bullet (SWC of course, cowboy load). Anything with a higher Vne and I'll have a hand full of cylinder and frame. Gotta watch your chamber pressures on the older frames. Even a modern replica can still have the chamber pressure issues if built upon the original small frame design.

Mike_Travis

Rgr that Marine! .45 ACP HP all the way.

Remingtongray

Semper Fi

marshallbrinson

.357 Mag = 1200-1500 fps....depending on barrel length...

Lazy J

That depends on the load. I purchased 125 gr jhp loaded for 1135fps out of a 2 1/2 inch bbl Ruger Security Six. That gun is very comfortable for a lady to shoot and doesn't kick out of her hand with those loads. I carry a Dan Wesson 5.5 inch bbl .357 loaded hot with 158 gr slugs. It'll stop a bear.

StreetSweeper

I sorta like my Win. 12 ga. Defender with 00 Buckshot. I'd be sitting in my easy chair with it pointed at his/her chest when the door broke down. Dust to dust, 72 virgins, and all that jazz!

OldCorpsEd

I'll take mass over velocity anytime.

Kingscairn

40 minutes in detroit and others; waste of expensive ammo unless at home, but if out on the town it doesn't dance inside and leaves a clean wound... close range pocket pistols 22, .380 like to jitterbug inside and must be dug out !

DZz

Yes, if she fired a shot in the air, she would be arrested for discharge of weapon, lookesd at for legality of weapon etc. Once she opened the door and no one entered her right to shoot ended. If she would have shot someone for attempted bike theft on her porch, off to prison!!

Marilyn Z

Wow...glad I don't have any intention of leaving Texas. Any low life who thinks he can help himself to my property needs to have his funeral arrangements in place. CRIMINALS should have NO RIGHTS.

http://www.arizonadon.com/ Arizona Don

Arizona as well.

Poodleguy

Wow, like we didn't know that!!!

DZz

From the last 10 posts you are the only one that does!!!

http://www.arizonadon.com/ Arizona Don

I don’t know where you live mister but I’m not going to live there. I have a right to protect my family, self and property. Any threat to any of those things justifies use of force, deadly force if needed.

Why would anyone fire a warning shot in the air? I actually would like an answer to that question if you don’t mind. A shot in the air may in fact jeopardize someone on the ground somewhere else, do you realize what goes up does come down?

I have been a victim three times in my life twice I had vehicles stolen I was unable to do anything about them. I never knew it until the next morning or long after the actual act. However, I once had my shop broken into and thousands of dollars of tools stolen, luckily for the thief(s) my dogs did not hear. If they had and I woke up they would have died that night. Now I have warning systems and cameras in and around that shop and the next time they will not be so lucky. The price they pay for their actions will be very high. Count on that!

DZz

Again, not a bike don't care what state see my other post

http://www.arizonadon.com/ Arizona Don

If you think I'm going to search over three hundred posts for another of your posts your nuts. By the way you did not answer the question!

DZz

Because if you shot someone on a porch with no eminent danger to you for a bike you go to jail even in Arizona.

roscoe

in some states if someone is trying to break in you can shoot through the door but if the crook gets in but doesn't cause you any bodly harm you can't shoot.

http://www.arizonadon.com/ Arizona Don

Like I said I don’t know where you live but if that is your thought its not Arizona. I am former law enforcement. I have a right to protect my family, my life and my property here. If you don’t move!

binder890

Firing a warning shot isn't usually a good idea. If you were actually in danger you would have fired AT your assailant. So to the police a warning shot is a discharge of a firearm when you were not in danger. Here in NY you would then be in danger of losing your pistol permit and therefore every handgun you owned. Don't move here.

Valor

Hell, I won't even set foot in NY!

Freedom_Road

Due to the cost of ammo no warning shots will be fired!

dcartmill

Good sign to be posted on the front and back of home

TheBitterClinger1

In the air is foolish and dangerous and we should all spread the word-but for self defense---

Hopefully not good person--hopefully. Get Armed Citizen or any of the Defensive Use of Firearms periodicals and you will see a great push back and the police are GENERALLY on the side of the good guy. There are ugly exceptions--Pima County Arizona with a leftist old fool for a sheriff and flat out marxist country attorney are bad;;any of the great cities are worrisome.But in AMERICA (the rest of it) times are changing, people are starting to realize they are their own first responders.

And keep a good lawyer on speed dial just in case. We who keep and bear really should keep up with our reading and training--even if only a good dvd from time to time--familiarity breeds contempt.

And good for Betty Collins--a .357 is a fine choice it is.

FIRE1949

Warning shots are a waste of precious time.
If a person feels their life is in imminent danger, first shot should be center-mass, double-tap if using semi-auto, the rest is self-explanatory. And .357 is NOT the ideal self-defense/close-combat handgun round.

glock 19 fan

Ah yes! Talk about calling the police and you get laughed at **but** when Smith & Wesson talks, people listen!

TOMD

GUN WORKS BETTER THEN URINE AND VOMIT.

jaydee

Or whistles.

TheBitterClinger1

Even in Colorado

Yep ESPECIALLY in two of the state districts I have heard.

LittleMoose

Two points, the first being that the liberal gun lobby says that stories like that of Ms. Collins are anecdotal yet they always say that if one persons life was saved by gun control its worth it. Where is the logic. Second, you say that the police are not in the business of crime prevention. They catch criminals or people who have already committed criminal acts. In fact, the Supreme Court has said the exact same thing. In Warren v. District of Columbia in 1981, the Supreme Court ruled that police are not obligated to or have any duty to the victims of criminal acts. The main function of the police department is to arrest criminals and investigate crimes.

Lazy J

In Texas, it's legal to carry a pre 1899 pistol in the open if it does not use center fire or rim fire ammunition. For those who don't know better. A cap and ball SSA revolver of the "old west" is not considered a firearm for the law in Texas. That didn't stop the San Antonio police from shackling and arresting legal carriers and confiscating their replica C&B revolvers. Their excuse was they were "protecting the public". The police are not there to protect or serve the public, but to enforce laws on the books. Even though those cops were appraised of the laws they ignored the law. That is happening all across our fair nation now.

BTW, the country with the lowest firearm crime rate REQUIRES all able bodied men of fighting age to have and maintain military grade firearms in their home. That country is Switzerland.

JJ

Obviously, this is and "able bodied woman" and more power to her!

DZz

I'm not the bad guy here, even in Texas or Ariz you can't shoot people outside for minor crimes like stealing a bike!! There all arrests everyday and trips to jail.
If you shoot and happen to kill or even harm someone for a bike theft you are also open civil suits for all of your assets

Guest

So, they were shot INSIDE and got OUTSIDE. What's the problem?

DZz

You not to bright nowadays it takes the cope about 5 minutes to figure out your story, no weapon either on bike guy

DZz

I also have fast fingers can usually spell

Nolan Ashman

Turn in your law degree, D's. You haven't enough evidence to even offer an allegation.

Osama Obama

In the old west, horse thieves were hung by the neck till dead!!

geddys_uncle

In Texas, if the trespasser's on your place after dark, and you can't discern that he's unarmed, he's subject to getting noisily perforated. Still gotta exercise judgment and discretion, but, a "shoot" is more easily defended if your assessment of "threat" is plausible. Not in daylight, though; the assessment of "threat" requires a bit more evidence, like a weapon, apparent intent, etc. Dumb, unarmed bad guys' most dangerous time of day begins at sundown, and ends at dawn.

bull57

How many times have you heard a cop say,"we can't do anything until they commit a crime"? I have more than once, well good job girl as that's the way we deal with those situations too...

neilshog

Good job, Mom, but I hope you can move to a safer neighborhood soon.

KC

Shoot the son of a Bitch,drag his sorry ass back inside. Then shoot one round in the ceiling. When the officer arrives tell him that you gave a warning shot, but he just kept coming at you in a life threating manor.Bad Guy makes a Bad Choice Period. You Live he Dies!

Traveller62

I never thought of shooting a round into the ceiling AFTER incapacitating the perp. Thanks for the advice.

Sister Marie

KC you'd be asking her to be dishonest And tell a lie! There is never any reason to lie.
She handled it honestly and neither men had to die. Maybe they will learn from this.
It's bad enough we have a pResident who never tells the truth. He is truly a son of Satan!

http://www.youarestupidif.com Nate Tanguay

So much bad advice. You should have learned the laws of your state for self-defense during your gun course, whether for CCW or Hunting permits. Remember guy who followed VP Biden's advise and got arrested.

I think Biden is an idiot, but in this case I think he was in full knowledge of what he was doing. He purposely gave bad advice hoping that people would follow it in order to bolster the administration's anti-gun agenda. He is a conniving, sneaky weasel, a.k.a a career politician.

Osama Obama

Any body who would follow any of Biden's advice is an idiot to start with.

BITEMEHARDLEFT

I like her style...I dont know if i could have been so nice..

KC

Sister Marie, you are correct. I should not ask her to lie about the warning shot. Young Lady, you don't need to lie. Just shoot the Son of a Bitch dead.
Sorry sister, I'll remember to Pray 3 Hail Mary's & a Novena.
God Bless!

Terry Adams

God Bless her. May every woman read this and do like wise. Wake up America the beast is upon you.

Dealing with people in these situations is tough, if she would've used mace to attempt to stop the car vandalism, the attacker might have turned and attacked her in 2 seconds, then what? By entering the engagement with a firearm, the outcome is pretty well given. If the perp was detained and taken in to police custody, the likelyhood of that perp returning to harm the lady in revenge is slim, bad guys attack the weakest possible target, goes with the saying "act and look like a pork chop and you ARE a pork chop" simple and this lady is no pork chop!
This lady stood and delivered, good job Ma'am.

Bob

This needs to happen MUCH more often, until the bad guys get the message that we're done taking their nonsense!

Joe Destro

I Know the boy friend stated that he would have shot the guy. Think about how stupid it would have been for her to shoot an unarmed man on her porch. She would have screwed. The idea is to eliminate the threat by all means available. Im a gun owner and a second ammendment supporter. Just a reminder unless your life is in danger do exactly what this lady in Toledo did and call the police.

Larry

Joe, it isn't a good idea to open the door. (In this situation), call the police, if time permitting, then take an armed defensive position and wait till' the door gives, then do what must be done.

Joe Destro

i AGREE A 100% LARRY NO DOUBT

Traveller62

AFTER I shoot the perp and incapacitate him first.

Dennis

Dick Cheney was such a great example for Americans. It's a good thing to note that he started shooting with a lawyer.

KC

I want protection in my hands, not parked in front of a Donut Shop!

myfordtruck

she did the right thing

Mort Leith

Probably nl66ers like usual,,, shoot them DRT and ODumbo loses a vote every time.

sparksnavy

To Mort Leith
We do not need the slang words in a reply--and your speculation is just that speculation-and it is people like you who obviously hate a certain race, regardless of your experience--is not fair to paint all with a broad brush!
And NO I DO NOT LIKE THE CURRENT PRESIDENT EITHER! Regardless of race!

DAY8293A

There are good blacks,and then there are nl66ers..... Statistics show that 7 percent of the population,,, young black men, are the majority of the murderers in this country..... Those are the nl66ers..... Democrats paying welfare hos to have welfare rats, black and white, is what is destroying this country. If you can't afford to raise you own children, don't have them,,, After one, which you can't take care of, it is child abuse and you should go to jail..

Guest

Require everyone to be armed at all times.

Larry

Good for her, stay armed, trained and alert, but never open the door, ever.

Osama Obama

Why aren't these stories of lawful actions of legal gun owners in the mainstream news???

John

the mainstream "news" is not news at all. They are nothing but entertainment and fluff. Feel-good stories. Heck, ABC in New York has even taken to featuring people's cats on the news program. "SuperCat Saturday" they call it.

I couldn't tell you how many times I shake my head and mutter, "Yeah, real hard hitting reporting there." They are there to make us all mindless, drooling zombies, lining up for our Soylent Green from the administration,

BUSH DOCTOR

BECAUSE THE MAIN STREAM MEDIA IS IN THE LIBERAL CAMP !!

Mark Hudson

They both should have been shot!

Mark Hudson

Shoot them on the porch...then drag them into the house! Dead men tell no-etc, etc.

Traveller62

Make sure there is no blood trail when you are doing the dragging. PLEASE.

Traveller62

You enter MY house uninvited, and you are one dead MF.

https://www.facebook.com/kamaut.longbabilon Kamaut Longbabilon

Peter the Apostle showed that Jeus did not object to carrying defensive weapons: Note in the Garden on TheChrist's last night of liberty, that Peter smote off the ear of an arresting Roman Soldier? - Peter was CARRYING!

sparksnavy

Kamaut Longbabilon
Not only that--but Jesus told one of the apostle to sell one of his cloaks and buy a sword!---'nuff said---defense is the word---

di from Oregon

God for Betty, it is an act of love to defend your family from thugs. Hello!

William 1

No! She should have shot the sob-now he'll get out and start all over and the same for the "kid"!He'l grow up to be like the first intruder and maybe kill someone-shoot after warning and them call the meat wagon!

Txlawman516

Good job mom! The author is right. There are too few of us lawmen out there to effectively prevent crime. We pull it off some, but there are too many dirtbags with too much territory for us to cover it all equitably. All responsible citizens need to be able to fend for themselves until the cavalry comes. Unfortunately that may be a while in some places.

Larry

With the purchase of a firearm comes the responsibility of taking defensive firearm classes from a competent instructor. You will learn not only shooting technique, but cleaning, maintaining and storage of your firearm. There will be class room time explaining the many Federal and state laws regarding gun ownership. After the above is completed there is primary rule #1 to be followed: Now, that you are armed and trained, do not become over competent. Never go anywhere now, that you did not go when you were unarmed. The lady in the article did well until, she fell victim to Rule #1, being over confident with her gun she opened the door and could have been killed in an instant. Never open the door and never display your firearm unless you are going to discharge it. If you cannot obtain proper instruction DO NOT buy a firearm.

FIRE1949

I think you intended to state "do not become over-confident".

One can never be "over competent".

The English language is what it is.

Larry

No, actually, overconfident (one word), is what I intended and this usage is correct. There is no such thing as being over competent, as there is always room for improvement.

FIRE1949

....and hyphen removed.........

pjk40

Nice that her boyfriend called her to tell her that there was a suspicious person on the street as he drove AWAY from the house! Was he not man enough to go back and check it out himself?!

Doc Savage

Hell he was MAN enough, because he knew his woman could kick ass

MJK

BOY FREIND WAS A PUSS

Bushmaster0369

I am happy she had a gun and supposedly knew how to use it. BUT SHE MADE TWO MISTAKES THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN HER AND HER CHILDRENS LIVES. Why, I guess I'll never know, "WHY DID SHE OPEN THE DOOR IN BOTH CASES"??? SHE WAS SAFE INSIDE AND A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN WHEN SHE OPENED THE DOORS. ESPECIALLY THE SECOND TIME WHEN SHE HAD TO RETRIEVE HER GUN. Every one stay inside, call the police and put your children in a safe place, position yourself between the intruder and your children. If he breaks in the door or window or gets in the house anyway, don't engage in conversation, shoot the SOB center body mass, hug your children and be proud that you did him before he did all of you. Your alive and he's dead, which is the better senario.

Larry

Spot on, Bushmaster.

Doc Savage

She did not open the door without her gun. She had her gun in her hand. Please read before making comments

Larry

It doesn't matter if she was unarmed or armed with A4 carbine....... NEVER OPEN YOUR DOOR TO ANYONE, (in this situation).

col

That's not what the article said about the second time. It said, she told him to stop and leave but he kept trying to get the chain off the bike. It was at that point that she retrieved her gun.

sparksnavy

To Doc Savage---

Sorry Doc--that was the first time--the second time she did not have the gun in her hand--suggest you read a little more carefully also!
Secondly--she left the door to retrieve her gun while the idiot was trying to steal the bike!

That's not so. In the second case, it said she retrieved her gun. If she'd had it with her, she wouldn't have had to retrieve it, which means to go get it.
This site sounds almost like a site that has people who mostly don't know anything much about firearms and how fast someone can get to you to overpower you. These first two sound like bumbling fools, who were messing with her house. God help her!

sparksnavy

Bushmaster--you are exactly right re: the door opening(Twice) I was thinking the same thing--she placed herself in jeopardy in doing so--also her children!
Sparksnavy

rollervic

You go girl.

col

You definitely don't want to mess with a woman who is protecting her home and her children especially if she has a gun. There will be hell to pay. This is why every home owner should own a gun. The way things are in this country today, thanks to our racist president, it's coming to where we have to protect ourselves. You can bet that no one else is going to do it.

Larry

Correct, don't mess with momma bear and cubs. There is a Birth Right for all humanity to a defense of self and family. This Birth Right is above man's law. We have a right to possess the same weapons as the criminal class deploy against the innocent. Until, these criminals are disarmed, it is advisable to keep away from the honest citizen's firearms!

Disgusted

By opening the door, she put herself and her kids in greater danger than keeping the door locked. She did this, not once, but twice. She's no hero and all of you are praising her to the sky. I'm glad she is all right, but would like to ask her what would have happened if she had opened that door and had been overpowered and killed, or disabled and her kids would have had no protection whatsoever.
I don't believe this story. I think it's made up. If it's not made up, she's the luckiests person around and that luck could run out. Quit praising her!!!

John W (TSgt, USAF Ret.)

Way to go Lady. If there was more people like you our towns and home would be safer.
US COMBAT VETERAN: Vietnam, '68 - '69; Door gunner, 1st Cavalry Division (AM) and now a retired USAF TSgt (E-6).

FormerLadyLaw

John W....first off thank you for your service, and what a fantastic
article. The so-called "weaker sex" is on an even playing field
when it comes to a situation like this, but twice??? Yikes! Maybe
the first time around was "practice!" :))

Paul Brown

Welcome home brother!!!! I served with the 84th Engineers in Da Nang 70-71 and would do it again if I had to, but definitely not under this ovomit.
He would let you die there instead.

I applaud this woman for taking things in her own hands because I went through the same thing right after my wife and I bought our home, it happened about 5am as well. I to own a 357 Magnum and I am not afraid to use it either. I told the Police at the time and they said the person has to be in your home with a gun to your head, and told you he is going to kill you, only then are you allowed by law to use your gun, but even at that you can still have problems. That was a Lt. who told me that, and I said I would shoot right through the door and not ask any questions.
Anyone found her at night, will be found here in the morning!!!!!!
I don't dial 911, I call my friends Smith & Wesson to take care of the job.

Chris_in_Kalifornia

Even in California the rules aren't that strict. Law here says if they come in your house that is prima facia evidence that they intend to commit great bodily harm and you are within your rights to kill them.

TBJWebmaster

It is a little more complex than that, they must not be members of the family or friends who might be expected to be in the house, and you must also know for a fact that they have made an unlawful forcible entry. Also, this is a law that many judges play down to the jury: there have been cases where the judge has refused to let the jury hear that defense, believing that you must still have a justifiable fear, and if you can prove that you don't need this law, which reads:

California P.C. 198.5. "Any person using force intended or likely to cause death or
great bodily injury within his or her residence shall be presumed to
have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great
bodily injury to self, family, or a member of the household when that
force is used against another person, not a member of the family or
household, who unlawfully and forcibly enters or has unlawfully and
forcibly entered the residence and the person using the force knew or
had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry occurred.
As used in this section, great bodily injury means a significant
or substantial physical injury."

John Moses Browning

My wife loves my Remington 870 with the deer barrel for defending our castle...using bb shot to avoid over penetration danger
But any firearm is better than nothing. Kudo's to Ms. Collins!! 2 for 2!!

DJ

Actually, no shot load (including 00) will penetrate the walls of most houses (mobile homes and shacks excluded) unless you're holding the muzzle right up against the wall. I once [stupidly] had an accidental discharge in my house at about two feet range from an outer wall with a .45 ACP and the 230 gr. slug didn't make it through the outer wall (framed stucco with insulation). That said, BB is a more than adequate load at home defense ranges...the shot being .17 caliber.

http://www.TheJoyOfBeingaControlFreak.com/ Joyful LaRue

IF the lib's had their way, this mother wouldn't be ALLOWED to stand her ground to protect her own & children's lives . . . would be yet another sad, sick statistic for the lib's to pooh-pooh as acceptable in a country run by thugs & gangstas.

The left will NEVER 'get it' . . . paraphrased from Sigmund Freud, 'fear of weapons is a symptom of retarded emotional maturity'. Couldn't have said it better myself.

jenna

They get it alright! They think they are above the crime since they live in elite neighborhoods and can afford the best protection. The police would be at their beck and call if something happened at their house and whose to say they don't own a handgun and just don't tell it.

KingofThings

You get 'em darlin'!

marston

bless the loving mother with arms enough to match her courage

ONTIME

The right to carry is pro life and anti criminal.....if the criminal has one ounce of brainz when looking down the barrel of a potent gun, he will comply or die, sometimes painfully...

GeoInSD

I would suggest that Ms. Collins or anyone else using a gun for self defense not to get so close to the intruder. Putting so little distance between oneself and the intruder puts one at unnecessary risk.

Doc Holliday

Or at least pull the hammer back first.

Disgusted

You're right about that. She needs to watch some of the scenario videos where they show how fast a bad guy can close the space between you and him and slice you to pieces and kill you before you can even get near your gun. What an eye opener that is!

Valor

AS a former Peace officer, you are correct. The best way to have handled the first situation would be to advise the perp trying to kick in the door that she was armed with a gun and would use it if he breached the door. If and when he did, shoot! With the perp trying to get the bicycles loose, after calling 911, then and only then open the door and present the weapon, do not open the door and then retrieve the weapon, have it in hand first and be prepared to use it! The time to decide if you will actually shoot is NOT when you confront a threat.

KC

Dear Sister Marie, today I took your advise. You said there is never a good reason to lie. Well, when my wife of 42 yrs. was getting dressed this morning, she asked me if her ass looked fat.I'm recovering from my head injuries after my release from ER.
Sister, you are wrong about lying. There is a time to lie, esp. To prevent injury or death. God Bless!

The Great Oz

The caption should read "Woman saves family from intruder as the Justice Department tries to find an angle to disarm her and throw her in jail" This is a story every gun grabbing, freedom hating liberal hates. One more gun owner who refuses to be a statistic. If you lived in the Peoples Republic of Maryland like I do she would have been jailed for protecting her family. Liberal pansies have ruined this great state. Take a look at the anti-gun laws that went into law here yesterday. Mikulski. . . you midget. Follow the yellow brick road to retirement! And take the rest of the Lolly Pop kids with you. Yes, I'm very politically incorrect. . . so what!

Doc Holliday

If she needs some money for ammo for the next dipstick, I would be glad to help her out there.

terrryc

Aim for the balls....

terrryc

The guy was a Yankee?

rocketjl

I worry about a US Supreme Court ruling that police have no responsibility to protect people.

wildbill5

Come now, how would you suggest that the police protect you 24/7?

rocketjl

If you have to ask, I could never use enough words to make you understand.

Wayne

Nobody would never suggest that they could! It is our duty to protect ourselves and the cops to come clean up the mess afterward.

obamas dorian gray moment

it is ever more obvious that in many gun toting cvil servants motto, "to protect and to serve" describes a personal goal.

new mission statement

TO PROTECT MY PENSION AND SERVE MY TIME

FlamingFury

There are already court cases stating that police have no duty to protect you! Self defense is a person's responsibility.

Remember, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away!

Disgusted

They never could protect us in the first place. They're the cleanup crew. They get there after the fact and hunt down the bad guys, maybe. One thing people have not understood is that we're on our own, out here and better be able to take care of ourselves. They couldn't possibly protect all of us. Think about it.
All the cops I've called upon have gotten there very quickly and were very serious about my call and very respectful toward me, but they can't be with all of us all the time. It simply isn't possible.

Valor

The Supreme Court made that ruling some years ago. Really! A police Department was sued because they did not respond in time to repeated phone calls for help and some young women were assaulted and/or killed. Don't recall the details. Went to the Supreme Court and the ruling was just that, the police are not responsible to provide individual protection.

http://www.youarestupidif.com Nate Tanguay

If we all studied our rights at http://www.fija.org mothers like her would never have to worry about a conviction. But you won't.

Way to go Betty Collins! You may have stopped a couple of thugs from pursuing their career and causing much heartache for others. Women may lead the way for our Gov't to be forced into admitting the truth about guns. Guns help Good Americans every single day by keeping them from becoming victims.

Disgusted

What kind of fool opens their door when there is a threat outside their house? She's very lucky the bad guys didn't have guns, as well, or knives. To open the door and then retrieve her gun is crazy and I'm not sure I believe this story. She needs to wise up before her and her kid's live run out of that good luck.
We're not supposed to put ourselves in harm's way to protect our homes. We're supposed to put THE OTHER GUYS in harm's way!

Disgusted

Oh, my word! I just watched the video! She broke all the commandments of gun owndership safety!
The most important is, TREAT THE GUN AS THOUGH IT IS ALWAYS LOADED EVEN IF YOU KNOW IT ISN'T. So many times, it's the guns that were thought to be unloaded that killed people. Famous last words--"I didn't know the gun was loaded....."
Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to shoot.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you have decided to fire the gun, at the identified target.
This woman was brandishing that gun all over the place . She pointed it at the homes across the street and waved it around with her finger on the trigger.
This woman should not own a firearm until she learns gun safety because she doesn't know any gun safety and is showing the world she doesn't know gun safety. She must have an angel on her shoulder, but it looks more like ignorance to me and over-confidence on her part. And it's all caught on video.
Oy VEY!
I'm hoping she'll learn how to handle guns when she takes her criminal law courses and then will wise up.
She needs to dump her uncaring boyfriend who knew there might be a threat, but went on to work instead of keeping an eye on his family, the coward.

traverdog

the gun appeared it was unloaded for the TV interview.

Disgusted

I don't know how old you are, but all my life I've heard of many "unloaded" guns that shot and killed people. You must not have.
You don't brandish (wave around) ANY gun like that. She was there gesturing with that gun like it was her hand and at one point had her finger on the trigger. ALWAYS treat a gun like it is loaded. If you don't do so, there will come a time that you handle it in an unsafe way and it will be loaded and too late to take that bullet back.
Look, I don't care what you think of anything I've said here, but guns are deadly weapons, not casual things to be waved about and brag about that you had your gun 5" from someone's nose.
Let's hope we don't hear of a different ending to this woman's gunplay. She's got false security feelings because of the gun and that is going to come back to bite her. Another rule of safe gun handling. Don't go anywhere WITH a gun that you wouldn't go without one. Taking foolis chances are just that--Foolish. Having a gun is no guarantee that things are going to turn out in your favor.

traverdog

I'm well aware of guns. An unloaded gun is just that. In your case, an "unload" gun is one thought to be unloaded. I'm older than you and know the difference.

Jeff Yoder

Maybe should did not have all the time in the world to make sure she was doing everything right by your standards. Form over substance is what matter. She was not harmed. As to the boyfriend at least she has one

Disgusted

I read in another place that she has a degree in criminal justice, so she's not a newbie to the law, but she acts like she is with guns, or just doesn't care what she does with them. These, by the way, are NOT MY standards, but are rules of safe gun handling that are all over the place for anyone who cares about it to find and read about. She broke with common sense, as well, something which you don't seem to care about. Only a fool would open a locked door to confront someone trying to break in. Form over substance? Really? Not smart. I'm glad she and her kids were not harmed, but it could have turned out very differently. What kind of man would see something like that and call home to warn the girlfriend and then go on his way? Especially when kids are involved?
Do you have any idea how easily she could have been disarmed by the perp? She stuck her gun 5" from his nose. One swipe and he could have knocked her hand aside, disarmed her and knocked her back into her house. Then what? If he had shot her, what about her kids? Boyfriend is gone off to work. Mom is shot. Kids are left defenseless. Form over substance? You're in a dream world, son, and you need to get educated about guns.
Let me pose this to you: It's not enough to own a gun and know how to shoot it. You need to understand what can happen to you in a split second that you don't get to re-do because it will be too late. To put yourself in such close range to a threat is so foolish I don't have words to say it well enough. There are sites where you can go to see scenarios about this very thing and they are eye-openers. Find some and watch the videos. They use guns that don't have actual live rounds in them and the people actually do get shot with the dummy bullets.
Are you suggesting I don't have a boyfriend? You'd be right. I have a husband of 50 years and hope for more.
Your words are weak and I'm not impressed with what you've said here.

obamas dorian gray moment

in commie-cal the cops shoot people who even look like they might resist. If someone actually has a powder actuated device every officer on hand will empty their 15 round pistol. I used to go out in my back yard and practice pointing my finger and saying bang bang but no longer practice outdoors or inside near undraped windows.

slickzip

Betty is an all American woman god bless her ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The duck

Or if you feel really lucky take O'biden's advice. Get a shot gun load it and if an intruder enters your property run outside with it and shoot it in the air. Better try unloading it accidently at their feet with just one shot. Then tell them where the next ones going. Right at their family jewels. But a shot gun with a short barrel is a combat veterans gun of choice. The shot pattern is not so tight and it will take out anyone as close as 50 feet no problem. just point and shoot. Wins every time. Even police in riot gear respect it.

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